THE HYDROSPHERE

THE HYDROSPHERE
⚫ Three quarters of the surface of the Earth are covered
by water.

⚫ Hydrosphere refers to all the water on the planet

(solid, liquid and gas).
LIQUID
Seawater (most liquid water) found in:
• Oceans
• Seas

Inland water (small percentage)

• Surface water (lakes and rivers)
• Ground water (underground like aquifers)

Liquid water exists between 0ºC and 100ºC.

Clasification of the water by the SALT LEVEL:

• Fresh water: low content
• Brackish water: moderate sal content
• Salt water: high salt content
SOLID
Solid water exists as snow and ice in the polar ice caps and
glaciers.

Liquid water freezes below 0ºC and transforms into solid.

GAS
Water is considered gas in the form of water vapour.

Water vapour exists as evaporation from surface water.

It can also come from inside the earth in areas of volcanic

activity (geysers)
THE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER IN EARTH
1. Water in seas and oceans.
2. Inland water:
⚫ Surface water.
⚫ Ground water.
⚫ Glaciers.
WATER IN SEAS AND OCEANS
• COMPOSITION
Sea water is a mixture of mineral salts (NaCl).
It also contains magnesium salts.

Salt in seawater affects density:

“Water with a higher salt content has a greater density”
Seawater temperature depends on depth:
– Temperatures are lower in deeper bodies of water.
– Temperatures are warmer in shallower areas.
• MOVEMENT

Oceans and seas move and change all the time in variety of ways:

Waves:
They occur on the surface of the water.
They are caused by the wind.

Tide:
It´s a regular movement in which the sea level rises and falls.
It is caused by the gravitational force of
the Sun and the Moon.
Ocean currents:
They are horizontal movements of water in seas and
oceans.
They are important because they redistribute heat and
salt to different areas of the Earth.